The British Youth Council, known informally as BYC, is a UK charity that works to empower young people and promote their interests. The national charity, run by young people, exists to represent the views of young people to government and decision-makers at a local, national, European and international level; and to promote the increased participation of young people in society and public life. It is partly funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and UK Parliament. History Beginnings The British Youth Council was established by the Foreign Office of the British Government in preparation for the first World Assembly of Youth. Its original aim was to unite young people in Britain against the forces of communism just after World War II. 1960–69 In 1963, the Council gained independence from the British Government and became a UK charity championing the opinions of young people. From the late 1960s, the Council expanded its work in connecting youth councils across the UK – a move championed by then staff member John Denham, former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. 1970–79 In 1971, BYC organised the annual World Assembly of Youth event in Manchester where Prime Minister Edward Heath was the keynote speaker. In the late 1970s, the organisation elected David Hunt as chair (now a member of the House of Lords) as well as Janet Paraskeva (now First Civil Service Commissioner) and Peter Mandelson. BYC published the "Youth Unemployment: Cause and Cures" report. They also attended the 11th World Festival on Youth in Cuba where motions were passed on the human rights records of the USSR and USA. Delegates include Trevor Phillips, Paul Boateng and Charles Clarke MP. 1980–89 In 1987 BYC Scotland closed due to funding cuts by the Government. The British Youth Council also had its Foreign Office grant withdrawn due to the changes in international relations. However, the Council continued to promote local youth councils and was involved in the UK's signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 1990–99 In the 1990s BYC worked with partners in campaigns to get young people registered to vote and on issues of young people's employment. They also worked in the field of youth policy and research, producing a number of journals and publications. Notable publications during this decade include ‘Never Had it So Good: The Truth about being young in nineties Britain’ (1996), and